Marlene S. “Toot” Czaja, 59, of Auburn, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2017, at Parkview Hospital Randallia in Fort Wayne.

She was born February 7, 1958, in Miller, South Dakota, to Victor John and Arlene (Christensen) Kutz, and they preceded her in death. Toot was a graduate of Highmore High School in Highmore, South Dakota.

She married Lawrence Czaja on August 16, 1980, in the Chapel of the Hills Church in Rapid City, South Dakota.

She worked for 30 years at Artistic Carton in Auburn and considered the people she worked with part of her family. She loved animals, especially her dog, Norma Jean, and two cats, Captain Kirk and Spock.

Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Marcy and Brent Boger of Auburn; a son, Alex Czaja of Garrett; two grandchildren, Nicholas Yoder and Emily Boger; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Janice and Tom Birdsall of Port Charlotte, Florida, and Lisa and Steve Nielson of Blair, Nebraska; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Dianne Kutz of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Roger and Carolyn Kutz of Highmore South Dakota, Tim and Val Kutz of Venice, Florida, and David and Linda Kutz of Rapid City, South Dakota; and several niece and nephews.

The family will receive friends from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 Center St., Auburn.

Additional services will take place next week at Luze Funeral Home in Highmore, South Dakota, with burial taking place in Highmore City Cemetery in Highmore.

Memorials may be directed to the DeKalb County Humane Shelter.